Teuta Towler

10/23/2026

10/16/2026

Technology may help us do more, but it's our humanity that helps us mean more.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Cary Business Owners Event on a topic I'm passionate about: Leadership That Inspires Impact in an AI-Driven World and Why AI Can't Automate Human Connection.

I talked about how technology and AI are changing the way we work, communicate, and lead—and why human connection matters more than ever.

What I loved most wasn't just presenting. It was the engagement, the different perspectives, and the conversations that unfolded throughout the session. Some of the responses genuinely surprised me, and I loved it! That's what makes these conversations so valuable.

As AI continues to evolve, I believe one of our greatest leadership challenges will be making sure we don't lose the very qualities that make us human: empathy, curiosity, authenticity, and the ability to build meaningful relationships.

AI can help us become more efficient, but it cannot replace the human connection that builds trust and inspires people.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers, Kyle Perkins with Big Frog Raleigh, Darrin Guay, and Michelle Doeffinger with Traingle Social Media.
Thank you to everyone who attended and engaged in conversation.

I'm curious: As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, do you think it's helping us become more connected—or more disconnected?

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, I was in Kosovo working with the United Nations when America was attacked on September 11.

What I witnessed afterward taught me something about humanity that has stayed with me ever since.

We often become more compassionate, connected, and willing to put our differences aside when tragedy strikes. But 25 years later, I keep wondering:

Why do we need a crisis to remember how to come together?

I wrote about what I witnessed in Kosovo after 9/11—and what I believe it can still teach us about empathy, healing, and human connection today.

Read the full story: https://teutatowler.com/post/911-lessons-on-human-connection

Twenty-five years after 9/11, I reflect on witnessing the attacks from Kosovo and what tragedy can teach us about empathy, healing, and human connection.

09/08/2026

Special Announcement: The Peaceful Doer LLC dba Teuta Towler is now Mitro Leadership Development LLC as well as new location in Raleigh Triangle, NC. I am so grateful for your support that lead to this growth. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Follow us at

mitroleadershipdevelopment

09/07/2026

This morning, I opened my laptop thinking, “I’ll just answer one quick email.”

You probably know how that goes. One email turned into checking on a client. Then talked about changing the coaching schedule, which lead to changing the invoice, then one more thing and before I knew it, it's noon.

And suddenly it hit me:

It’s Labor Day — and I’m laboring.

I laughed at the irony, but it also made me think about entrepreneurship and something we don't talk about enough.

There’s a difference between building a business and building a business that can eventually operate without you.

In the beginning, you ARE the business.

You sell. You deliver. You solve problems. You answer emails. You make decisions. And sometimes, you're working while everyone else is enjoying the cookout.

There are seasons when that's part of building something from nothing.

But it shouldn't become our definition of success.

Because at some point, we have to ask ourselves:

Did I build a business — or did I build myself a job I can never clock out of?

That's where leadership comes in.

Build the systems. Develop people you trust. Delegate. Create processes that don't live only in your head. Build something that doesn't require your constant presence to survive.

So today, if you're like me — answering emails, serving clients, working on the next idea, or doing whatever needs to be done — Happy Labor Day. I see you.

We're still building.

But if you're reading this from the beach, the backyard, the boat, or wherever you decided to spend your day because you've built a business that can be completely OK without you today...

BIG congratulations.

That's something worth celebrating.

You didn't just build a business. You built freedom.

And maybe that's one of the best ways to celebrate Labor Day.

08/25/2026

Some people really bring out the best in us. I am grateful for my photographer yesterday who made me laugh so much, I could barely breathe. When I am happy, I show up with a higher vibration and more grounded to hold space for my clients. When was the last time you had a great laugh? Tag the person that brings the best in you and show appreciation .

07/07/2026

Every business & organization has a jerk who's a high performer. I came up with a term, Jerkformer™ (noun): A high-performing employee whose toxic behavior quietly ruins trust, collaboration, and culture faster than their results create value.

The Jerkformer hits every target.
They close deals.
They exceed quotas.
They produce results.

And because of that, their behavior gets excused. Until the cost starts showing up somewhere else.

The best people stop speaking up. They start to believe that in order to succeed you have to be a jerk and most people don’t want to be one. High performers who value respect quietly leave. Collaboration declines. Psychological safety disappears.

One toxic high performer can undo the work of ten healthy employees. People leave mostly because of toxic people. Life is too short to put up with jerks.

Leadership isn’t just about protecting results. It’s about protecting the culture that makes those results sustainable.

Here’s the question every leader should ask:

If this person’s numbers dropped tomorrow, would we still want them on the team?

If the answer is no, maybe their results have been hiding a much bigger problem. Results matter but character matters more.

Have you ever worked with a Jerkformer™? What did it cost the team?

Jerkformer are not easy to deal with because they are defensive, gaslight and guilt trip their leaders and that causes a lot of leaders to avoid difficult conversations. I see this every day in my 1:1 coaching calls. If this resonates with you, I invite you to schedule a 15 min call https://tools.teutatowler.com/widget/bookings/call-with-teuta

07/03/2026

What Happens When Freedom Feels Ordinary?

The greatest threat to freedom isn't always losing it—it's forgetting you have it.

Having grown up in communist Yugoslavia, lived through the war in Kosovo, and later built a life in the United States, freedom is something I never take for granted.

To me, freedom is more than a national holiday.

✨ It's the freedom to choose courage over fear.
✨ The freedom to forgive.
✨ The freedom to live aligned with your values.
✨ The freedom to become who you truly are.

This Independence Day, I'm celebrating with gratitude—and asking myself one simple question:

Where have I stopped appreciating the freedoms I already have?

What about you?

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

May the PEACE be with you.
Teuta

06/19/2026

Our differences may shape our stories, but our shared humanity shapes our future.

As we celerabte Juneteenth today, is a greatreminder of what becomes possible when people have the courage to stand for justice, dignity, and the belief that every person deserves to be treated with humanity and respect.

As leaders, we have an opportunity to carry that legacy forward.

Leadership is not about dividing people. It is about bringing people together around a shared vision, creating opportunities for others to succeed, and building environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered.

True leadership creates freedom, opportunity, and possibility for others—even when no one sees the battles fought to make it happen.

Today, we honor those who fought for freedom. We honor those who continue building bridges of understanding and opportunity. And we commit ourselves to leading in ways that create greater unity, respect, and positive impact in our communities, workplaces, and families.

05/12/2026

My friend Olimbi Shabani Cela and I created a Healing & Transformational Journey for Albanian American women because we know what it feels like to carry pain while still trying to keep going.
To leave your country and rebuild your life.
To feel pressure to stay strong.
To take care of everyone else while silently feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, or emotionally exhausted inside.
As Albanian women, many of us were never taught how to slow down, process emotions, set boundaries, or truly heal. We were taught to survive. But survival is not the same as peace.
This 8-week healing journey was created to help you finally reconnect with yourself, let go of emotional weight you’ve been carrying, rebuild your confidence, and create a life that feels calmer, lighter, and more aligned.
Our combined experience brings together emotional healing, guided support, movement, reflection, and real conversations in a safe and supportive space.
This is real support, real connection, and real healing.
Live on Zoom
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8 PM EST
And because healing creates ripple effects, 20% of every ticket will support an Albanian Women’s NGO. When one woman heals, generations heal.
If you’re ready to stop carrying everything alone and start putting yourself first without guilt, we would love to support you.
Find out more and register here: https://teutatowler.com/you-can-heal-your-pain